Glasses raised for Brubakers duo
IT was with head held low that I ventured into Brubakers on Tuesday night, expecting an evening of sadness, nothing could be further from the truth for the party to mark the end of an era that stretched back as far as Moes that turned into an exceptional managerial double act the likes of which hasn’t been seen round Dundalk in manys a long decade.
Yes Managers Aidan Burns from the The Loakers has been with the company for 18 years and relative newbie Trish Conroy from Tain Court has only been there a mere 12 years. But together they helped to build Brubakers into one of the biggest and best pub, club and venues in the town.
Well all good things must come to an end and they recently announced that they were both leaving Bru’s to forge new futures in pastures new and Tuesday night was a get together for their staff and friends to have a few drinks and wish them well in whatever endeavours they decide upon.
I wasn’t too long in the door when I met Trish who told me they both had a fantastic time while they were there and wanted to thank the inimitable Kevin Carthy from Kilcurry who was responsible for bringing them to work together. She also wanted to thank owner Declan Muckian and all the staff who had helped to make it one of the best places to work in town.
I the decided to see who else was enjoying the festivities and at a table I met up with Paul McKeever from Crossmaglen who was having a laugh with Sophie Hanratty from Williamsons Place and Georgie Patras from Lis na Dara who wanted to wish Aidan and Trish all the best and to tell them they miss them already!
Heading for an adjacent table I then caught up with Emanuela Cardinale from Avenue Road, Georgie Sidorov from Armagh Road, David Burns from Mount Avenue and Michael Duffy from Oakland Park who said they’d be missed like a hole in the head, but were sure they were going to have huge success wherever they went.
After this I caught up with Paul McGee from Bay Estate, Siert Schuls from Darver, Dáithí Curran from Kilkerley and Paidí Murphy from Drogheda and Martin Murray from Dunleer (who sprinted away when I arrived over), the lads said they’d really miss Aidan and Trish, but were looking forward to the future as well.
I then got talking to Kevin Carthy from Kilcurry, one time main man in Moe’s and Bru’s who told me they were definitely two of the best staff he ever hired and wanted to wish them all the best in their future endeavours. He was having a laugh with Alan Cole from The Loakers and Larry Pellecchia from Chapel Street who also wanted to wish Aidan and Trish all the best and were up for a major night of fun.
Making my way over to another table I met up with a bunch of Trish’s mates who had told her they couldn’t make it on the night, just so they could be there to surprise her when she walked in and they included Julie Gray from Mount Avenue, Amanda Smith and Sinead McLoughlin both from Mountain View who were with Susan Muckian from Kilcurry who worked with Trish and they were there to party the night away.
As were Trish’s holiday buddies Jackie Cotter from Beechmount Drive, Mary Caldwell from Cedarwood Park, Lisa and Paddy Heffernan from Hackballscross who were already in party mode and told me they were on for a major night of fun.
I then headed for the bar where I got talking to Fra Lucchesi from Doolargy Avenue who was with Trish’s cousin Mark Conroy from Dunmahon who told me she was going to be a big loss for a wee person!
After this I made my way over for a word with John Rafferty from the Rise and the man with the ‘ hairy scar’ Paddy Greene from Chapel Street who were still coming to grips with the news of the departure, and to be honest, were more interested in partying.
At the bar, I met up with Miriam Carthy from Kilcurry who was having a laugh with Lucille Conroy from Dromiskin and they wanted to wish Trish and Aidan all the best for their future endeavours.
Also near the bar I got a quick word with Briege Fox from Muirhevnamor and Paul Fox from O’Hanlon Park who said both will definitely missed and they were there to give them the send-off they deserved.
Not too far away I caught up with Cliodhna Kerr from Lis Na Dara and Rory Cunningham from Knockbridge who booth agreed it maybe the end of an era, but it was definitely the start of what should be a totally mad night.
Seated up near the bar I managed a few words with Robbie McElroy from Hackballscross, Emily Cumiskey from Knockbridge, Aoibheann Byrne from Bellurgan and Nathan Kerr who wanted to wish Aidan and Trish all the best for the future and were going to give them a good sent off.
Also there and up for a mad one were Stephen Gilliland from Avenue Road, Dara Agnew from Fatima, Shauna Gilliland from Avenue Road, Gavin McCann Glenmore and Caoimhe Byrne from Marsh Road who all either work in Bru’s or in the Vinegarmans and were up for making the best of the night with Caoimhe saying that it is a testament to both by how many were there on the night to give them the send-off they deserved.
Finally, before I departed I caught up with the Big Boss Declan Muckian who said that the night was a celebration for two of his best staff and he wanted to wish them all the best in their future lives and wanted to express his appreciation for all their hard work down through the years.